The new home of Jeff and Jennifer Alvarado Geller was the setting for the annual membership tea put on by Circle of Friends, a guild supporting the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

The home is so new, in fact, that the 200 guests were the first, other than Jeff and Jennifer, to see it in its finished state.

The tea is held every spring to give new, prospective and returning members an opportunity to learn more about the mission of the Colorado Children’s Campaign and its work to improve the lives of children across the state.

Watney was there to discuss current issues facing Colorado children and opportunities for Circle of Friends members and their friends to get involved in programs in need of support.

Mona Ferrugia, who along with a small group of other women created the Circle of Friends 18 years ago, spoke about the importance of the Circle of Friends then and now.

Circle of Friends board member Jen Rettig, left, and Mary Fitzpatrick pose with a doll decorated by a child to help raise awareness of children’s issues in the state. (Photo by Tara Manthey, Special to The Denver Post)

Since its founding in 1996, Circle of Friends has grown to 250-plus members who also engage in the Children’s Campaign advocacy work and to support such activities as Colorado Shops for Kids, which runs through May 14, and the awareness-building luncheon that the Children’s Campaign hosts in the fall.

Those attending the tea were asked to donate a minimum $50 to the cause; donations over that amount were matched by a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

President Lindsay Filsinger, left, and hostess Jennifer Alvarado Geller. (Photo by Tara Manthey, Special to The Denver Post)

The Colorado Children’s Campaign is a 28-year-old nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization committed to creating hope and opportunity for all of Colorado’s kids.

“Backed by an extensive, statewide network of child advocates, we use the most accurate, compelling data and research on child well-being to champion policies and programs that improve child health, early childhood experiences, and K-12 education, to help lift children out of poverty,” Watney says. “Our mission is to provide all of Colorado’s children the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

Kristy Adams, left, is director of advancement for the Colorado Children’s Campaign; Mona Ferrugia founded Circle of Friends and Chris Watney is president and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign. (Photo by Tara Manthey, Special to The Denver Post)